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Newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron was the first Western leader to meet with Russian President Vladmir Putin since the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Sicily over the weekend, where relations with Russia were on the agenda. The two leaders discussed the relationship between their nations, the situation in Syria, LGBT rights in Chechnya among other issues for three hours on Monday in the Palace of Versailles. The meeting took place on the 300th anniversary of Russian Tsar Peter the Great's visit to Versailles. The talks were intense at times, but Putin said Franco-Russian ties withstood "all points of friction" during the meeting. Macron agreed, adding, "we disagree on a number of things but at least we discussed them." Macron on Russian media At the news conference, held in the Versailles Palace Gallery of Great Battles, which celebrates 14 centuries of French military successes, Macron took a swipe at two Russian media outlets whose reporters he banned from his campaign … [Read more...] about Macron talks Syria, LGBT rights, fake news with Putin

The deadliest mass shooting in US history, which left the country in mourning and the LGBT community devastated, has also sparked sympathy and concerns overseas. In London, Scotland Yard Commander Mak Chishty voiced the Metropolitan Police's sympathies for the victims of the Orlando massacre, which left the shooter and 49 dead, with a further 53 wounded. On the agency's website Chishty vowed to protect the London's gay community. "While there is no intelligence to suggest an increased risk in London, we have increased our patrols in prime locations and continue to work closely and engage with the LGBT community, visiting clubs and local areas offering reassurance and being visible," he said. "There are LGBT liaison officers available in every borough who are out and about and using their networks to understand how the community is feeling and offer support." Of London's upcoming gay pride parade, on June 25, he said they have a "robust, visible policing plan in place." In the … [Read more...] about Massacre at LGBT nightclub in Florida provokes sympathy and concerns in Europe

On a recent family shopping trip to the Ikea outlet in Berlin's Schöneberg district, one father noticed something strange. As he went to look up the schedule for an upcoming family picnic hosted by the German Association for Lesbians and Gays (LSVD), he noticed the website was blocked. Out of curiosity, he tried several other portals for LGBT resources; articles about homophobia, advice columns on coming out. None of them worked. Queer.de, a website that advocates for homosexuals' rights, was similarly blank. Apparently, the websites were "labeled as pornography and disabled under Germany's child protection laws," said LSVD Director for Berlin and Brandenburg, Jörg Steinert, in an interview with DW. "Unfortunately, this is nothing new for us," said Steinert. The censorship of gay and lesbian websites usually draws a connection to authoritarian or ideological regimes, but this is likely just the beginning in Germany, Steinert said. Earlier this year, the public Wi-Fi for … [Read more...] about Berlin public and corporate Wi-Fi block LGBT-friendly websites

Parade organizers hailed this year's march as "the biggest and most colorful Pride in London yet." The heart of the UK capital was decorated with rainbow flags and colorful balloons, as around 25,000 revelers on Saturday marched down Oxford Street and Regent Street, London's most popular shopping areas. Hundreds of thousands more were expected to continue partying into the early hours of the night in London's Soho district. Read more: Soho's gay history revealed in new tours By sunset, the UK Parliament's Palace of Westminster will also be illuminated with a rainbow flag for the very first time to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UK Sexual Offences Act, which decriminalized homosexuality. "Here in London you are free to be who you want to be and love who you want to love," London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote on Twitter. "Pride brings people together in joyful celebration of our values of freedom, tolerance and equality," UK Prime Minister Theresa May said in a … [Read more...] about London Pride revelers celebrate 50 years of LGBT decriminalization

Same-sex sexual acts are illegal in over 70 countries, including seven which invoke the death penalty for breaking this law. It's therefore no surprise that some gays and lesbians seek asylum in more gay-friendly countries, including in European nations like Belgium, Germany and the UK. Yahia Zaidi is one such refugee. He arrived in Belgium almost three years ago seeking asylum on account of his sexual orientation, as well as his political activism in Algeria for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people. The young gay man had spearheaded an HIV/AIDS prevention organization for the gay community in the cities of Algiers and Oran. Persecution from the general public as well as government officials was a part of life for Zaidi in his homeland. "I got arrested in Algeria once when I was 17 years old. I was just hanging out on the street with a friend, but I looked a bit effeminate with my long hair," he remembered. "The policeman was trying to force me to sign something … [Read more...] about EU asylum policy for gays and lesbians criticized by LGBT groups

After the largest single-handed mass shooting in US history unfolded in the early hours of Sunday (12.06.2016), celebrities were quick to take to social media to express their grief. Many openly gay stars also showed solidarity with those killed and injured in the shooting at Pulse, one of Orlando's most popular gay nightclubs, and urged support for the LGBT community as a whole. Singer Ricky Martin refused to give in to fear. Talk show host Ellen Degeneres simply tweeted "sobbing," while actor, director and activist George Takei used the trending hashtag #onepulse and a ribbon of solidarity. #LoveisLove and #GaysBreakTheInternet were also trending Sunday and Monday. In a Facebook post, Takei quoted children's television show host Fred Rogers - "in times of crisis, look to the helpers" - and appealed to fans to donate to GoFundMe in support for the victims. Tony Awards dedicated to Orlando victims Just hours after the deadly shooting occurred, the Tony Awards - Broadway's most … [Read more...] about Celebrities show solidarity with Orlando victims, LGBT community

Egyptian authorities arrested seven people on Monday, who they accused of being gay and promoting homosexuality, according to officials who did not want to be named as they had not been authorized to speak to the media. Read more:In Egypt, Islamic clerics give out edicts in the metro The officials said the seven people arrested were responsible for raising the rainbow flag at a gig by popular Lebanese rock band Mashrou' Leila. They have apparently also been charged with "public indecency" and "inciting immorality among young people." The rainbow flag symbolizes the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) movement. Read more: Alaa al-Aswany: What should our attitude to the barbarians be? Homosexuality is taboo in Egypt but it is not illegal to identify as gay nor is it expressly prohibited to "promote" homosexuality. Authorities, however, often use offenses such as blasphemy or "debauchery" to justify arresting homosexuals in a country that severaly limits free … [Read more...] about Egypt: Rainbow LGBT flag at Cairo concert leads to several arrests

It's been less than a year since gay marriage was legalized in the United States, but any celebration of the upcoming anniversary will likely be overshadowed by the horror of the June 12 killing spree at the Pulse gay bar in Orlando, Florida , which saw at least 49 people killed. Many have said that this massacre served as a somber reminder that a lot of work remains to be done to combat homophobia - not just in the US. Others regard the assault as an act of terror, at best secondary to any kind of undertones of hate and bigotry towards gays and lesbians. At a panel discussion at the Global Media Forum 2016 , Kriss Rudolph, editor of "Männer" magazine, Germany's largest gay publication, said that in this context homophobia was equal to terrorism, adding that the question about the nature of the attack didn't even occur to him. "LGBT people are terrorized around the world. Why should this act be different?" he asks as the moderator of a panel discussion and lists countries in … [Read more...] about Orlando attack highlights global rise in violence against LGBT communities

Several hundred police surrounded the main Taksim Square on Sunday where the "Trans Pride" rally of about 150 people had gathered to kick off a week of LGBT events. Demonstrations on the square have been banned since 2013. Turkish media reported that at least two people were detained after riot police fired tear gas and rubber pellets to disperse the march. "Football fans can rally in this country whenever they want. We were going to do a peaceful activity," said Ebru Kiranci, spokesperson of the Istanbul LGBTI Solidarity Association. Banned parade Citing security concerns over ultra-nationalist warnings against any such events on Turkish soil, authorities announced on Friday that transgender and gay pride marches had been banned this month. Included in the restriction is Turkey's annual Gay Pride parade which was scheduled for June 26. Described as the biggest in the Muslim world, the parade, which has been held annually since 2003, attracts tens of thousands of people. The ban … [Read more...] about Istanbul riot police break up LGBT rally

Turkey's plan to construct a prison exclusively for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) convicts, doesn't come as much of a surprise to Hakan, a 30-year-old gay man in the capital, Ankara. ban Twitter , then YouTube, now this...the government wants to ban the LGBT community, too." Avoiding 'honor killings' Discrimination at the national level The Turkish military requires all homosexuals seeking exemption from conscription to submit what many call humiliating "proof" of their sexual identity, such as explicit photographs, personality tests and questionnaires about their sexual preferences. Winning votes Political scientist Sait Yilmaz says the project is more in line with political agendas then helping the LGBT community. fourth victory in local elections on March 31st, but Yilmaz points out there are many people unhappy with the government's latest plan. Gay life becoming visible Murat Koylu is a spokesman for the Ankara-based gay rights group Kaos GL. He says such … [Read more...] about Plans to segregate LGBT convicts in Turkey